Andrews board asks president to stay till June

University says Andreasen agrees to serve through fiscal year.

University says Andreasen agrees to serve through fiscal year.

March 11, 2006|Tribune staff report

BERRIEN SPRINGS -- When Niels-Erik Andreasen stepped down as president of Andrews University on Monday at the request of the board of trustees, he made his resignation effective immediately. Three days later, the board voted in a special meeting to ask Andreasen to continue serving as president of the university for the remainder of its fiscal year. University officials say a misunderstanding led Andreasen to make his departure immediate. He has agreed to serve through June 30. "Dr. Andreasen is a gifted thinker and servant leader who has given valuable leadership to Andrews for more than a decade," Gerald Karst, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a written statement. The board asked Andreasen, who has been president for 12 years, and two vice presidents to resign Monday. The university suffered significant financial losses in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 fiscal years, a news release said. "While improvements had been made, the board felt that the modest growth in revenue and student populations during these years did not match the scope and speed needed to equip the university for successful long-term operations and growth," the release said. A 13-member presidential search committee composed of board members, faculty, staff, alumni and student representatives will be appointed. The full board will meet later this month to complete voting and endorsement of new faculty and staff appointments, the budget for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, and other unfinished business from its March 6 agenda, the release said.